I narrowly avoided something really bad

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EddieCoyle

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I was at the range with a relatively new shooter. This is a young woman that I've taken to the range with me a half dozen times. She's taken a real interest in the shooting sports, and has signed up for a CCW class.

We were shooting my new PPK/S, a CZ 27, and a Ruger MK III. In addition to shooting and using the controls on the guns, I've shown her how to load, field strip, and clean each gun we shoot.

I was about to shoot my PPK/S with a magazine that my friend loaded. I glanced at the mag before I put it in (it looked OK), racked the slide, pulled the trigger and heard a "click". So I tapped, racked, and ... noticed that the slide did not fully return to battery. I shoved the back of the slide with my thumb and with some resistance, it slid fully forward.

I was about to pull the trigger but had a nagging feeling about how hard it was to push the slide forward. Rather than shoot, I dropped the mag, racked the slide to eject the cartridge, and field stripped the pistol. When I looked into the barrel I saw... an unfired .32 ACP cartidge. :what:

The last cartridge that she loaded into the mag was a .32 ACP and not a .380 (all of the remaining cartridges were the proper caliber).

After scooping out my pants, here's what I learned from the experience:

1. Because of the rim on a .32 ACP, a magazine designed for .380 will retain the cartridge. Never keep .32 ACP and .380 ammo out at the same time.

2. Always load my own magazines.

3. If anything, and I mean ANYTHING doesn't "feel" right, I'm going to stop what I'm doing and double check everything. I tend to do this most of the time (and I believe this tendency saved me this time). From now on, I'm going to do it ALL the time.

It really scares me when I think of how close I came to pulling the trigger.
 
I'll amplify your #1 rule.

Never have more than one type of ammo out at once.

I don't shoot my Makarov until I'm done with my 9x19 Nato guns (or vice versa).

I put my Garands and .30 - '06 ammo away before I pull out my FN FAL and .308 ammo.

I don't have M-1 Carbine ammo and .38 Special ammo out at the same time.

There are just too many similiar rounds that will chamber (fully or partially) in the wrong guns.
 
Good catch and a good warning.
But you were not at death's door. I have seen .32s shot in .380, .380 in 9mm P, 9mm P in .40, and .44 in .45 without damage other than a badly bulged case. A .40 in .45 CAN do the same but can also be dangerous.

Y'all be careful, now, you hear?
 
There can be a problem with revolver rds too. I'm leery of having .44 mag and .45 Colt rds on the bench together. Also instances of people shooting .41 mags in .44 mag guns with apparently no harm but I wouldn't want to do it.
 
But you were not at death's door. I have seen .32s shot in .380, .380 in 9mm P, 9mm P in .40, and .44 in .45 without damage other than a badly bulged case. A .40 in .45 CAN do the same but can also be dangerous.
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I don't think you fully appreciate the gravity of the situation as it was: There was an unfired .32 ACP cartridge in the barrel, in front of a chambered .380. I think at best I would've ended up with a badly bulged PPK!
 
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But you were not at death's door. I have seen .32s shot in .380, .380 in 9mm P, 9mm P in .40, and .44 in .45 without damage other than a badly bulged case. A .40 in .45 CAN do the same but can also be dangerous.


I don't think you fully appreciate the gravity of the situation as it was: There was an unfired .32 ACP cartridge in the barrel, in front of a chambered .380. I think at best I would've ended up with a badly bulged PPK!
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And a new one at that:what:
 
Ah, I misread, thought the .32 was chambered, not in place as a bore obstruction.
Pardon me, you WERE at death's door.
There are pictures on the Gun Zone of a .45 demolished by shooting it with a .40 cartridge down the barrel. There is not as much energy in the .32-380 combo but the guns are blowbacks. Scary.

Be CAREFUL with your ammunition and with instruction of a new shooter.
Best to stick to one gun and not get into the "look at all my toys" mode.
 
A 7.62x39 will chamber and fire in a .243. The bullet headspaces it on the throat. A guy on graybeard did it and wrecked his rifle.
 
There are pictures on the Gun Zone of a .45 demolished by shooting it with a .40 cartridge down the barrel. There is not as much energy in the .32-380 combo but the guns are blowbacks. Scary.
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I found that on there. I read it as the .40 cal round actually fired, then he fired a .45 into the empty .40 casing in the barrel. In my case, the .32 never fired - there was a live round in the barrel in front of the .380.

I still get the willies thinking of how close I came to pulling the trigger. I think I'm going to take a break for a few days.


Women do have the power to distract us, don't they?
Click to expand...
Some more than others my friend.
 
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